I wear many hats. I am the librarian for grades 3 and up at my school. I also teach writing to grades 8-9, and am also the homeroom teacher for grade 9. The most important duty of my job is increasing the English literacy and writing skills of grades 3 and up.

What is the most rewarding and the most challenging part of your job?

The most rewarding part of my job is connecting with students who come from such a different background as I. Though I work in Saudi Arabia, one of the most restrictive countries in the world, my students are very open and aware about today’s society. I had some very amazing conversations about books and today's world events with students from every grade level. The most challenging part of my job is being abroad. As I love the adventure, there have been many incidents of homesickness, culture shock, and just being lost in translation. Though I currently live in one of the most restrictive countries in the world, it has granted me many travel opportunities.

If you had a campus job or internship, how did they impact your career development?

During my undergraduate and graduate time at WMU, I worked at Waldo Library in various positions. I am very grateful to the staff and all my co-workers there as I learned a great deal of professionalism. Also working at the library I was able to engulf myself in many of the latest trends in research and literacy in education, which has been invaluable at my current job. My boss was very impressed with both my degrees and library experience and thought I'd be a great fit for her team.

What advice would you offer students to help them decide on a career path?

Take chances! Be open. I received a job offer by just emailing someone my resume I met in passing and it brought me to the Middle East. I cannot tell you how many times I heard "no" from internships, assistantships, and jobs before I was invited to come to Saudi Arabia.